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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>From: Jimmy Morris, Scholarship Program Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2026 Scholarship Program<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV) is pleased to announce the launch of its James F. Nelson merit scholarship program for the academic year 2026-2027. Up to three scholarships of $2500 will be awarded based on academic achievement, community engagement, and leadership potential. The deadline to submit applications is 11:50 PM Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, September 24th, 2026. Applications can be submitted at <a href="https://www.nfbv.org/scholarship">https://www.nfbv.org/scholarship</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_heading=h.rq20p546nfhp"></a><b><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Eligibility Criteria:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>To be eligible for the James F. Nelson merit scholarship, applicants must… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Be legally blind or have a visual impairment that qualifies them to receive services under IDEA or from a state vocational rehabilitation program;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Be a resident of Virginia, or attending an in-person Virginia accredited institution of higher education full-time;<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Plan to pursue a full-time, postsecondary course of study in the 2026-2027 academic year; and<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Attend and participate in all scholarship program activities at the NFBV in-person state convention taking place <b>October 22<sup>nd</sup> through 25<sup>th</sup>, 2026 in Herndon, Virginia. </b><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_heading=h.tw9vkfef2bpi"></a><b><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>In-Person State-Convention Details:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The NFBV will cover the reasonable costs associated with attending the in-person state convention for all eligible applicants, including a hotel room shared with a fellow scholarship applicant, most meals, the cost of registration, and a banquet ticket. Scholarship applicants should work with their local NFBV chapters to explore transportation options and notify the scholarship committee of any difficulties. Convention related expenses will be reimbursed or covered by the affiliate at the convention. Please notify the committee if you do not have access to a credit card or other means of covering pre-convention costs. Applicants are expected to pre-register for the convention to signal their intentions to attend, and to assist the scholarship committee in making hotel reservations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_heading=h.zh2xp5piwwyh"></a><b><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Application Process:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>All applicants must complete an online application consisting of approximately 20 questions by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, September 24th, 2026. The application is available at <a href="https://www.nfbv.org/scholarship">https://www.nfbv.org/scholarship</a> and must include:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>At Least One Letter of Recommendation; and <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Electronic Copy of Transcript(s).<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>For any questions, please contact Jimmy Morris.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Email: <a href="mailto:jimorris0116@gmail.com">jimorris0116@gmail.com</a> Phone: (434) 547-2720<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Warm Regards,</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Jimmy Morris MA, NOMCT <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Peace,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jacki Bruce<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com">mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com</a> or <a href="mailto:membership@nfbv.org">membership@nfbv.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="tel:(757)291-1789">tel:(757)291-1789</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on Instragram @nfbofvirginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subscribe to our Youtube: NFB Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org/">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>